Car construction



June v23, 1942. E, H, WELL-s, JR I 2,287,400l

CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16. 1940 g4 34 K14 (34 (Z4 d INVENTOR Edu/ard Patented .lune` 23, 1942 UNITED lsTATlz-s. PATENT OFFICE vCAR CONSTRUCTION Edward H. Wells, Jr., New York, NrY., assigner to Johns-Manville Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation oi' New York Application' February 1s, 1940, serial No. 319,191

' 7 claims. (ci. 10s-42s) other suitable insulating material are placed in the spaces defined between the sheathing, and liner.

It has been found that a considerable amount lof moisture is at times present within the wall 1 spaces; the moisture soaking' into the insulation and greatly irnpairing its insulating efficiency. The moisture also causes unsightly moist spots on the inner liner, as well as contributing to the rusting out of the metal parts. It vhas been determined that the presence of this moisture may be due in part to opening of the seams of the metal sheathing, permitting leaks to occur during adverse weather conditions. For the most part, however, the water is the result of the condensation of vaporl'within the car wall. Thus, particularly where the-exterior temperatures are low, as in cold winter weather, and the"interior of the car is maintained at the temperature and relative humidity required for the comfort and health of the occupants of the car, the interior A further object of the invention is the provision of continuous passageways in the walls of the car leading"to the exterior thereof to permit the removal of water which may gather in the wall, as well as to allow circulation of outside air through the wall. v v 1 y Another object of the invention is the provision of positive means to circulate outside air through the passageways referred to above.

A still vfurther object lof the invention is to prov ide a carwall structure a-sdescribed above, in-

air contains a relatively large amount of water vapor. The inner liner, being comparatively Pervious, permits the vapor to pass therethrough to the wall spaces containing the insulation, where it condenses within o r substantially within the insulation adjacent the cold outer sheathing, the temperature of which is substantially below the dew point of the moisture vapor. As a result, the deleterious effects, previously referred to,

occur.

The primary object of the instant invention is the elimination of the above-referred to objectional conditions within the wall of a railway car or the like. 'I'he term wall as used herein includes the roof and oor-wall, as well as the side wall.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means tovspace the insulation fromI the outer sheathing to permit circulation of air adjacent the sheathing to reduce condensation, and to permit drainage of moisture which may 'accumulate on the sheathing.

cluding meansto eliminate or substantially retard the movement of moisture vapor from the .interior of the car to the wall space.

My invention will be more fully understood and further objects and ladvantages thereof will become apparent when rreference is made to the.

more detailed description thereof which is to follow and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a. sectional view of aportion of a railway car wall construction embodying the invention; l

Fig.` 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22of FigI l;

Fig. 3 is 'a sectional lview taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l:

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2,'depicting a modification of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional viewsimilar. to Fig. 3, depicting another modification of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. l, there is shown a car wall construction of generally conventional type comprising vertical frame members or posts l0 (see Fig. 2) and horizontal frame members l2. Carried by the frame is an outer sheathing I4, suitably comprising metal plates -secured by welding, riveting, or

the like, to the frame. The sheathing extends completely over the side and roof of the car and includes a bottom plate I6 extending beneath the car floor. 'I'he frame also supports an inner liner I8 which may be formed of plywood, composition materials, metal, or the like. The liner includes iioor 20. The 'sheathing H, forming the outer roof ofthe car; may be reinforced as by purlins or stiffening members 26. It will be understood that the above description relating tov conventional elements is of an exemplary nature only and is not to be considered as limiting the invention inasmuch as any suitable car wall structure may be employed.

Located within the wall spaces defined by the sheathing I4 and liner 8 and also between the oor 20 and bottom plate .I6 is thermal-insulating material' 22, preferably comprising batts or blankets of mineral wool or other fibrous material. The batts are confined by the longitudinal similar waterproofing medium. The vapor bar-l rier 30 may be secured to the insulating batts by an adhesive or the like or may be a separate element placed between the batts and the liner I8.

Also in accordance with the invention,`the insulating batts are spaced from the outer sheathing I4 as by wires or metal strips 32 extending longitudinally of the car wall and suitably carried by the vertical frame members I0. wires or strips 32 may extend only between adjacent vertical frame members I0 and be secured thereto by welding or the like or may pass through perforations in the vertical frame members and extend the length of or substantially 2 the length of the car. In the latterlcase the perforations in the frame members I0 for the reception of the wires are located substantially in the neutral axis ofthe frame members, with the result that no substantial weakening ofthe structure results.

The horizontal or longitudinal frame members I2, and the purlins 26 as well, are provided with perforations 34 at suitable'intervals to permit movement of air and moisture therethrough, the perforations aligning with the spaces between the insulation and the outer sheathing. The lower end member 35 of the wall and plate I6 are provided with periorations 35 opening to the exterior of the car.

In the above described construction, the vapor barrier 30 inhibits to a substantial extent the passage of moisture from the heavily moistureladen air within the car to the wall spaces. Howover, such moisture vapor as docs pass therethrough and condenses on the inner surface of the sheathing I4, and also water which may leak within the wall, is permitted to run down the wall, passing through the perforatlons 34 in the horizontal members and finally through perforations 3B at the lower end of the wall, with the result that no substantial amount of water comes in contact withthe linsulation blanket. Hence,

the insulation does not soak up the moisture with thc deleterious eects previously referred to, nor docs the moisture gather in the bottom of the wall, as has previously been found to be the case, with consequent rusting of the metal parts. Furthcrmore, the presence of the openings 36 and perforations 34 permits a substantial circulation of air throughout the Wall spaces between the insulation and sheathing; with the result that a large proportion of the moisture vapor is removed from the wall without condensing, and also water which may leak into the wall is vaporized and similarly removed.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, forced circulation of air through the wall spaces may be provided to remove moisture vapor therefrom. For this purpose, there is The- .. ing members.

showed, by way of example, in Fig. 1 conduit 5U having one or more branches 52 communicating with the space between the insulation and outer In lieu of a pump, the forward motion of the car may be utilized to provide the air circulation, the conduit 50 being connected in this case to any air scoop or the like at the front end of the ear. yAlternatively to forcing air through the space in the manner above described, the conduit may be connectedI to'the exhaust side of the pump or other air withdrawing means to draw exterior air through openings 36 and to circulate the same through the wall spaces.

Referring n-ow particularly to Fig. 4, the construction shown is that previously described. except that in place of the wires or, straps 32, an open-mesh structure 40 such as expanded metal, Woven wire mesh, or the like is employed. The woven mesh or expanded metal can be suitably secured in lposition, as, for. example, by welding to the fr-ame members.

In the installation of the insulation in accordance with the invention, suitably after the outer sheathing is secured over the frame structure and the wires 32 or foraminous mesh 40 is in place, the insulating batts or blankets 22 are pressed into the space'divlsions defined by the framing members and against the retaining means 32 or 40. In the side walls, clips 42 may be employed to hold the insulation in place. In the car roof, preferably extending wires 44 are used fory this purpose, the wires being secured to the transverse framing members. In the event that the vapor barrier 30 is a. separate element from the insulating batt, this is then applied and the inner liner I8 secured in a conventional manner to the framing members.

It will be noted that in Fig. 1 the wires or straps 32 have been employed in the roof of. the car, as well as the side walls. However, if desii-ed. their function'may be performed by the stiiening members or purlins 26 and the wires eliminated in this portion of the car.

As an alternative to supporting the insulation by the wires or expanded metal or the'like and installing the same in the manner above described, the insulating pads or batts 22 may be scoured to the panels forming the interior liner I8 as by an adhesive or mechanical means 80, such 'as wire fasteners or the like -(see Fig. 5). The batts 22'are secured to the liner o r panels prior to installation of the latter, preferably with a vapor'barrier 30 between the batt and liner.

and the batts are located on the panels to t in between the longitudinal and vertical framtban the width of the wall space, a channel. is

provided between their outer side and theshcathing.

Havingr thus described my invention in rather Iull detail, it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to, but that vVarious changes and modifications will suggest The -batts being of less thickness What I claim is:

l. A wall-structure for railway passenger cars and the like comprising an outer substantially air-impervious sheathing, a substantially continuous inner liner spaced from said sheathing,

' and deiining withIsaid outer sheathing a space 'closed from the interior of the car, framing members within said space supporting said sheathing and line vapor-permeable insulating units within said space and located between said framing members,l means at spaced intervals supporting said insulatingunits against saidliner to provide a passageway between said insulating units'and sheathing, and means located at spaced `points opening said space to communication with the ex' lterior of the car.

2. A wall structure for railway passenger cars and the like comprising. an outer substantially air-impervious sheathing, a, substantially continuous inner linerspaced from said sheathing,

within said space supporting said sheathing and liner, vapor-permeable insulating units disposed within said space and located between said. framing members, .a vapor barrier comprising a substantially moisture-proof membrane between said insulating units and said liner, means at spaced intervals supporting said insulating units away from said sheathing to define a passageway be- ;tween the insulating units andsheathing, and means located at spaced points in said wall opening said passageway to communication with the exterior of the car.

Cil

porting said sheathing and liner, vapor-permeable insulating units within said space and located between said members, spaced longitudinally extending eiements carried by said vertical members spacing said insulating units from said sheathing,

openings in said longitudinal members, ventilating openings in communication with thel spa'ce atfthe upper part of the. wall, and drainage and A and deiining with said outer sheathing a space A closed from the interior of the car, framing means including longitudinally extending members Ventilating openings in communicationwith the space at the base of the wall said openings leading to the exterior of the car. g l

5. A railway passenger car or the like'comprising a .wall including an Iouter weather- -resistant sheathing, a substantially continuous inner liner spaced from vsaid, sheathing and defin-` ing Vwith said outer sheathing a space closed from the interior of said car, framing means including' longitudinal and transverse members dividingsaid space and supporting said sheathing and liner, vapor-permeable `insulating units within said space yand located between said framing members, foraminous means carried by said framing members spacing said insulating units from said sheathing, openings .in said longitudinal members, Ventilating openings in communicationwith the space in the upper part of the wall, and drain- 88e and Ventilating openings in communication with the space at the base of the wail said openings leading to the exterior'of the wall.v

6. A railway passenger car wallcomprising an outer sheathing, longitudinal framing members and framing members at right angles thereto 3. A railway passenger car or the like comprising a wall including an outer substantially air-impervious sheathing, a substantially continuous inner liner spaced therefrom anddefining with said outer sheathing a space closed from the interior of said car and extending from one side to the other of the car, framing meansincluding longitudinal members and members at substantially right angles thereto dividing said space 'and supporting said sheathing and liner,

- said sheathing and dening with said outer sheathing a space closed from the interior of said car, framing means including longitudinal and vertical members dividing said space and supsupporting said sheathing, insulating units located b etween said framing members', and longitudinally extending wires passingthrough said second-mentioned framing members at substantially the neutral axis thereof and maintaining said insulating units in spaced relationship to said sheathing. f'

7. A .wail structurev for railway passenger cars and the like comprising an outer sheathing, a

substantially continuous inner liner spaced from said sheathing and defining with sai'd outer -sheathing a space closed from 'the interior of said car, horizontal and vertical framing members within-said space supporting said sheathing and liner, vapor-permeable insulating units within said space and located between said framing members, means spacingsaidinsulating units from said sheathing to provide substantially continuous spaces between the insulating units and sheathing, openings extending through said horizontal members, an opening in said outer sheathing adjacent the base of the wall, and an opening in communication with the upper part of the wall, said openings leading to the exterior of the car, and means for forcing exterior air into said spaces to circulate the air therethrough and exhaust the same from said spaces through said openings.

EDWARD H. WELLS, JR. 

